Rise of the Formidable Ex-wife (Lucia and Alex) novel Chapter 313

11:10 Wed, Jul 22

Chapter 318

Chapter 313

Morning light came through the curtains in thin bars across the hospital bed. The sygen camala nose, the IV line taped to the back of her hand, the heart monitor keeping its soft steady beep pale in a way that made the room feel colder than it was, and her breathing carried a toll effort a week ago

She looked out the window and thought this might be one of the last mornings she’d ever see

I never imagined my life would end like this,’ she said quietly, to no one.

A soft knock came at the door. The nurse leaned in, smiling. “Mrs. Hart, your family is here”

Margaret went still.

The door opened slowly. Marie came first. Josh Senior behind her, then Claire, David, and Josh Junior filing inahes/ Everyone stopped just inside the room.

Nobody had expected her to look this fragile. The tube under her nose. The IV. The faint bruising left from the fall The pie face against the white pillow.

Marie’s hand flew to her mouth before the tears came. Josh Senior’s eyes reddened. Claire pressed her fingers over her lips Josh Junior looked away, unable to hold the sight of his sister like this for more than a second.

Margaret managed a small, tired smile. “Why is everyone looking at me like that?”

Nobody answered.

Marie crossed the room first, careful of the tubes as she leaned in to hug her daughter, crying without trying to stop it. Tm so sorry.”

Margaret patted her hand gently.

Marie’s control broke apart completely. “I should have protected you. I should have listened. I should have fought for you.” She sank into the chair beside the bed, holding tight to Margaret’s hand. Tm your mother. I was supposed to save you

Margaret watched her cry and said nothing yet.

Josh Senior stepped closer, his voice shaking in a way none of them had heard from him before. This is my fault.” Every head turned toward him. “If I had been a better father, you wouldn’t have spent your life looking for love in the wrong places. You wouldn’t have married Marco. You wouldn’t have gone to prison. A long silence followed before he could make himself finish. “And maybe you wouldn’t be lying here.” He looked at the oxygen line. “The prison broke your health. And I put you on that road long before any judge did.”

Nobody spoke.

Claire knelt by the bed next, tears already falling. Tm ashamed. I spent years believing lies. I chose everyone except my ow sister.” She took Margaret’s hand. “If I could go back, I’d stand beside you. Every time

Margaret gave her a weak smile.

Josh Junior stood at the foot of the bed a while longer before he came forward, taking her hand without ceremony, “Vendre” my big sister. I should have protected you” He shook his head. Instead I left you to fight alone.” A small, sad smile crossed his face. Tm here now.”

Margaret squeezed his hand.

She looked around at all of them, her breathing a little weaker now than it had been a moment before.

22

O

O

11:10 Wed, Jul 22

Chapter 318

“Do you know what prison gave mer she asked.

Nobody answered

Time,” she said “Time to stop blaming everyone. Time to stop blaming myself: She nursed to Marie forgive p

Marie cried harder.

She looked at Josh Senior. “Dad”

He broke again, covering his face with one hand.

“I forgive you too,” she said.

She turned to Claire. Tve already forgiven you.”

Claire’s shoulders shook.

She looked at Josh Junior last. “There was never anything to forgive.”

He smiled through his tears.

“Let’s stop wasting whatever time we have left blaming ourselves, Margaret said. “Let’s just love each other.

The room held all of them in that for a moment, nobody quite able to speak past it.

Another knock came at the door, softer this time. It opened, and Stella stepped in, her face already carrying the weight of the day.

Josh Junior looked up, surprised. “Stella?”

She gave him a gentle smile. “I heard what happened. I couldn’t stay away.” She looked at Margaret, then at all of them.

“After everything,” Josh said quietly, “you still came?”

“Of course,” Stella said. “You’re still my family.”

The room went quiet again, Josh visibly moved.

Stella came and sat near the bed. “Families break. They make mistakes. They hurt each other.” She looked around at all of them. “But they also heal. Let’s build ours again.”

A few tired smiles moved through the room. Margaret wiped at her eyes.

The door opened once more, and Margaret’s lawyer stepped in, a folder under his arm, his expression carrying something lighter than the room had held all morning.

“I have good news,” he said.

Everyone looked over,

He set a set of documents on the table beside the bed. “Yesterday 1 filed an emergency application. Considering your medical condition, the court has approved a compassionate medical release.”

The room went still with a different kind of shock now. Marie gasped. Josh Senior closed his eyes, soine of the tension finally leaving his shoulders.

“Your sentence has been temporarily suspended,” the lawyer said. “You’ll continue treatment from lone and the hospital. under medical supervision. The prison is no longer considered a suitable environment for your condition.”

22

IN

O

11:10 Wed, Jul 228.

Chapter 13

Margaret didn’t have words for it yet.

“There is one more thing, the lawyer said. Everyone looked up again. “Mrs. Lucia Kane personally helped me to through. She signed several of the documents herself, and made sure your treatment could begin merely

Marie covered her mouth Josh Junior stared at the floor, stunned. Claire’s tears started again

“Lucia, Margaret said, barely above a whisper,

The room went quiet, waiting for whatever came next.

Margaret looked at the lawyer. “Can you do something for me?”

“Anything,” he said.

She took a slow breath, the effort of it visible. “Will you ask Mrs. Kane if she would come see me?

Nobody spoke. Everyone in the room understood what the request meant. She wasn’t asking for forgiveness anymore. She only wanted the chance to sit across from Lucia, once, before whatever time she had left ran out.

The lawyer nodded. “I’ll ask.”

Margaret closed her eyes. A single tear slid down her cheek.

Comment

C

AD

Send gift

No Ads

11:10 Wed, Jul 22 J

Chapter 14